Aaron Smith was at his sparkling best as the Highlanders outclassed the Sharks 48-15 in a record-breaking Super Rugby win in Dunedin.
All Blacks halfback Smith was at the heart of a breath-taking attacking performance from the hosts, who ran the visitors off their feet in scoring seven tries.
Their seventh win from 10 games lifts the Highlanders from sixth to third in the overall standings before the remaining games in round 12 are played.
It was their highest score in 18 games against the Sharks and their highest against any South Africa team since 2002.
The listless Sharks lost their fourth game in a row – their seventh from 11 for the season – and look increasingly unlikely to match their semi-final status of last season.
They couldn’t contain the brilliant Smith, whose passing and kicking from the base were typically sharp but added a new dimension with a sharp running game, exposing some sluggish visiting forwards as the Highlanders roared 24-10 ahead by halftime.
They crossed for four more tries after the break, with Smith grabbing one of them and the others being scored by forwards Mark Reddish, Brendon Edmonds and Elliot Dixon.
The scores were locked 10-10 after half an hour, with Sharks prop Tendai Mtawarira cancelling out an early try to flanker Gareth Evans.
A willingness to keep the ball alive eventually told as wingers Waisake Naholo and Patrick Osborne crossed before the break. Naholo’s try was spectacular latching on to a cross-chip from centre Malakai Fekitoa to bag his competition-leading ninth try of the season.
First five-eighth Lima Sopoaga landed six from seven shots in a 13-point haul.
The only concern for the Highlanders was a head knock suffered by their All Blacks fullback Ben Smith, who left the field in the 50th minute.
The Sharks have plenty more headaches after beginning their tour of New Zealand and Australia with a performance which offered little aside from some staunch lineout drives.
Both their tries were scored by front-rowers, including a second-half effort from hooker Bismarck du Plessis, highlighting the one-dimensional nature of their methods.
They play the competition-leading Hurricanes next week while the Highlanders begin their South African tour against the Lions.
Gregory Thompson
Guest
The sharks have big problems. Firstly they shouldn't have sacked their previous coach. The sharks were buying into the coach's message. I don't think the new coach have the players on the same page or player revolt in letting the previous coach been sacked unceremoniously by ceo Smith. They are afraid to do it openly but you can see it in their games. With their previous coach the shark topped the sa conference how many times and in the playoffs numerous times. Smith's going to get pressure from sponsores if sharks continue loosing. His thinking is about making profits but is damaging the performance of the players
USrugger
Guest
Sharks? More like Guppies! Take nothing away from 'Landers!!!
Magnus
Guest
I think tony brown has helped sapoanga really grow this season . To think also he's playing behind a pack with no abs in it is even more commendable , he also doesn't mind the tough stuff and of all the nz 5/8 has the best physical presence , Tom Taylor is not in same class at 5/8 , also it's clear now sapoanga is the best goal kicker in nz by some distance . Barrett's problem as good as he is , he really hasn't grabbed his chance over the last 2years at 5/8 and forced the abs to pick him at 5/8 like a smith and dagg did , still time we will see .
Jerry
Guest
I don't care if you agree, it's not a matter of opinion. Barrett - 59 tackles made, 9 missed, 86.8% Sopoaga - 43 tackles made, 10 missed, 81.1% Af for your other point, Barrett's had one bad game, one good game and one no game (ie a bye) in the last 3 weeks, he's hardly out of form.
Larry_Parallelogram
Guest
Sopoaga was fantastic yesterday and will certainly be on the radar for Hansen and crew. However, I see that Tom Marshall has cancelled his move to Gloucester next year after being advised by the NZRU that he is in the mix for the AB squad. Therefore, where Sopoaga could miss out is on his lack of utility value. Both Slade and Barrett can play 10 and 15 and the ABs interest in Marshall may also be due to his utility value. But whichever way you look at it, Sopoaga has certainly found another gear this season and is a player for the future.
Magnus
Guest
I can't agree with that Barrett doesn't like the tough stuff , he's also hardly taking the ball to the line in his last few matches , reds being an example , he's potentially a great player but his last 3weeks have not been great , if hansen picks a 5/8 on form today it's sapoanga even the stats say that
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
This is an absolute crisis for the Sharks now. Completely embarrassing and unacceptable. Heads are going to roll in Durban.
Woodsman
Guest
Reddish was a serious liability in the first half, not much going on between the ears. Smith (take your pick) was fantastic. Sopoaga had a great game but the Sharks didn't exactly pressure him. Last week without the same service he struggled a fair bit. I'd think he still has to show a bit more consistency before walking into the ABs.
Jerry
Guest
"Barrett average at moment and very shy on defense " If he's that shy on defence, how come he's made more tackles and missed less than Sopoaga? Or indeed any other NZ 10?
Magnus
Guest
Sopaonga deserves to be picked ahead of them all , Barrett average at moment and very shy on defense , carter hopeless Slade ok , good but not great behind super 15 s best forward pack , dagg other option at 5/8 . I hope hansen does the right thing and rewards Sopaonga imagine how good he'd be behind an abs pack and nonu outside him
Old Bugger
Guest
Very impressive indeed. While I don't want to put the "mocka on Sopa" I do acknowledge, that the skill level and game read ability he demonstrated last night was, just impressive. He has certainly shown huge improvements in his game management and decision making capabilities. His goal kicking is exceptional. His general kicking is completed with certainty and he just looks like he has found the time and space within himself, before he commits to any undertaking whether it involves catch and pass, catch and kick a grubber, a chip, a touch-finder or an up-n-under and his running and link game with the rest of his side. Perhaps the only concern, if there is a concern at all, is his defence - on many occasions, the Landers preferred Sopa fall back to FB on defence and moved Buckman up to FH....perhaps its just a game read call but IMO, Sopa will need to show that he can stand and defend at FH also. Nevertheless, if Sopa continues on this current form then, I can only suggest that Hansen will get his wish once again....he will have 4 players all vying for 3 FH positions in his RWC AB squad.
aussikiwi
Guest
Ridiculous ball skills and ridiculous luck too for the Highlanders, in a tight game half those passes wouldn't have come off. Couldn't believe how happy the landers team looked - really enjoying themselves. But I am worried about complacency now.